pumpkin pancakes

I make pancakes all the time - I'd really be a pagan if I made then during Lent, but outside Lent, why not!

For parents out there, if you purée veg and mix it in, even some cheese, some peas and sweetcorn, and serve them with tomato sauce, they're gorgeous, and it's a nice way of sneaking greens into kids.

I make pumpkin pancakes because sometimes I get the urge to bake and eat a pumpkin pie, and this is healthier...

My mother made lovely little round pancakes onto the ring of the Aga, a recipe with yoghurt, but it's never worked when I make it.

I just do a cup of flour, pinch of salt, about a teaspoon of baking powder and a tsp of cinnamon. Make a well in the centre and mix in, combined, a cup of milk, a beaten egg, a teaspoon of good vanilla, a dessert spoon of oil (or melted butter). Put in any amount of pumpkin puree (steamed or roasted or canned, whatever - I use the Hokkaido pumpkins as they're so deliciously rich) - today I put in four cubes from the freezer, warmed with a little water to thaw them. Mix in with the liquid.

Let sit for a bit in the fridge. The first pancake is for the dogs, it never works.


I'm sorry this is so inexact, I know it's frustrating (like when my godmother asked for someones bread recipe and was told to start with 'a plate of flour'). But you can't really go wrong, and if you do a bit of trial and error will sort it out.

These aren't really American puffy pancakes, you'll have to up the raising agent for those.

I put honey or maple syrup on them. Nyum.

If you make them and come up with any deities, come back and let me know!